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Guest Author: Jennifer Roy
“Health is Wealth.”
In many ways, this saying is true as good health allows us to function well and enjoy life’s greatest pleasures. This includes being able to perform tasks that are essential to our quality of life, which will also bring us overall happiness. It’s also something that no amount of money can bring us if our health is in disarray.
This is why we want to help our dental patients create their best health at all costs.
This is where the following health guidelines become very important to know only us but our dental patients who we care for.
Everyone is responsible for their own health. Many people have health conditions they may not even be aware exist. This is common because most of us live hectic lives.
Many people don’t realize that oral health is an essential factor that affects their total health. “How can this be”, you may ask? This is precisely what we will answer as you continue reading.
Let’s dive in.
1. Excessive Bacteria in the Mouth can Lead to Various Health Conditions
The mouth is an entry point to the body, meaning various bacteria and germs can enter through it. This includes the bacteria that currently exist in the oral cavity.
Typically, bacteria are in insignificant proportions, which means they are harmless. Oral bacteria is kept in control by flossing and brushing teeth routinely. It includes routine preventive care appointments with the hygienist and exams but the dentist. Even properly washing our hands and drying them effectively with something like a blade hand dryer are essential to our total health.
However, if optimal oral health is not present, the bacteria in our mouth can lead to gum infections, tooth decay and tooth loss, which lead to other health concerns.
Bacteria in the oral cavity enter our body through the blood stream and attach themselves to vital organs like the heart and lungs. This can lead to conditions like endocarditis and pneumonia, which become serious health conditions.
Therefore, our message to dental patients is the mouth is a gateway to our body and contributes to our total health.
Keep reading below to learn more about the research regarding oral health and its association between gum disease other other systemic diseases.
2. Periodontal (gum) Disease can lead to Pre-Diabetes and Diabetic Conditions
Research has established that there is a strong link between poor gum health and diabetes.1
Uncontrolled glucose (sugar levels) plays a key role in poor gum health.
Periodontal disease is the sixth complication of diabetes. Prevalence of severe periodontitis in diabetics as compared to non-diabetics has been found to be 59.6%:39%. The majority of well-controlled studies show a higher prevalence and severity of periodontal disease in diabetics than in non-diabetics with similar local irritation including greater loss of attachment, greater alveolar bone loss, increased bleeding on probing, and increased tooth mobility resulting in tooth loss.2
Therefore, if blood levels are higher than usual, consider this sign patient must take their oral health seriously. This is an important role for us as dental health and preventive specialists to understand our patients value points and speak to the benefits that support their total health.
This includes treating gum disease, routine preventive maintenance that support total health and gums. Optimal oral health supports improved glucose levels for patients with diabetes.
3. Periodontal (gum) Disease can lead to Alzheimer’s and Dementia
There is a strong link between periodontal disease and chronic Alzheimer’s. Alzheimer’s is a severe condition that typically affects aging adults. It results in a specific type of dementia, declining brain and other systemic functions, as well as memory loss. Alzheimers is more commonly seen in adults above the age of 65.2
The important message we must share with our dental patients is that oral health is essential to our total health. Optimal oral health helps but a halt to bacteria that travels through the blood stream which causes various systemic diseases.
Our message to patients must include optimal oral health. This means that dental professionals reinforce the mouth- body connection at each dental appointment.
Health is a blessing that allows us to live life to the fullest. It enables us to pursue our goals which require full physical and mental capacity.
Not many people realize that caring for their total well-being, also includes caring for their oral health.
As we have read in this research, there are many ways that oral health can affect our total health.
Harmful bacteria in the mouth can lead to various conditions linked to the heart, lungs, diabetes and also Alzheimers, just to name a few.
We hope this information proves helpful and inspires you to share the important message with your dental patients that oral health affects our total health. When we have optimal oral health we have a much better chance to live a happy and healthy life.
Yes, Health is our Wealth!
Optimal health is how we achieve wealth!
Optimal oral health is the most important message to patients in our dental office. This is one reason dental patients will return for their routine appointments.
This why your patients will pay for your services. Sharing this message of health with your patients makes them feel like you really care for them. It’s why they will become your raving fans and refer all their friends and family members to your office.
“Dental Professionals are in the business of helping their patients live a longer and healthier life!”
Debbie Seidel Bittke, RDH, BS
References Accessed July 2022.